Hamas facing internal unrest as Israel detects plans for renewed attacks, official says
Asked about the possibility of a large-scale confrontation with Hamas before Israel's October 27 elections, the official assessed the likelihood as low.
A senior Israeli security official disclosed on Saturday that the terror group Hamas is reportedly preparing for potential attacks against Israeli forces, amid escalating tensions between Hamas' leadership abroad and its Gaza-based leadership. The official revealed that Israeli intelligence has detected signs of Hamas' intention to confront Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) troops along the Yellow Line, which divides Israeli-controlled areas from the rest of Gaza, as well as local Palestinian clans.
Hamas is grappling with the consequences of its recent defeat, as the official noted that the group faces significant internal challenges, including rebuilding its military capabilities, ongoing Israeli operations, and growing discontent within its ranks. Daily targeted killings have averaged between three and four, and Hamas is concerned about maintaining internal stability and resisting external threats.
The official emphasized that Israel's intelligence capabilities have significantly improved, thanks to increased investment in resources, better cooperation between security agencies, enhanced intelligence gathering, and the establishment of new operations centers. These advancements have enabled Israel to carry out more precise operations against Hamas.
In a separate development, the official highlighted the capture of Muin al-Arabid, Hamas' former internal security chief in Gaza, on September 1. The official described this operation as particularly significant, as it has weakened Hamas' confidence in its ability to safeguard itself against future Israeli actions.
Regarding the likelihood of a major confrontation with Hamas before Israel's October 27 elections, the official expressed a low probability. However, he cautioned that Hamas' apparent unwillingness to disarm could lead to renewed violence in the near future. The official stressed the importance of applying additional pressure, either through a military campaign or by compelling Hamas to disarm.
Prior to the October 7, 2023, attacks, Israel lacked human intelligence sources inside Gaza, highlighting the recent improvements in this area as a crucial factor in the country's enhanced security efforts.
Written by urgent.news from Jerusalem Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
